NoteBurner Review: Is It a Reliable Audio and Video Downloader?
Summary: Are you thinking of purchasing NoteBurner and unsure if it’s worth the investment? In this NoteBurner review, let’s delve into its product lines, particularly the NoteBurner Video Downloader’s pros and cons.
Let me guess, you landed here for the same reason I first started digging into NoteBurner: you just want to save your Spotify playlists or a few Netflix shows for when you're offline, but a quick search has probably left your head spinning.
The reviews are all over the map. Some people sing its praises, but then you hop over to Trustpilot or SiteJabber and see that nearly a quarter of users slapped it with a one-star rating. The complaints are shockingly consistent: "download failed," "slow updates," and the one that drives everyone crazy, "a slow and difficult refund process."
Worse yet, getting a straight answer to the most important questions feels impossible:
- Is this software actually safe, or is it hiding some kind of virus?
- Is using it even legal? Could my Spotify or Netflix account get banned?
- What's the real price tag? Is it actually as good as they say, or just a waste of money?
To get to the bottom of it, I decided to be the guinea pig. I shelled out my own cash and spent time testing both the music and video downloaders. I also dove deep into forums and community threads to see what real users were saying.
Think of this as your guide to avoiding the same headaches. I'm going to give you the straight talk—my actual test results, the data I found, and the tricky details buried in their terms of service. By the end, you'll know for sure: Is NoteBurner really worth your money and time?
Is NoteBurner Safe to Use?
The short answer? Yes, the software itself is safe.
I can say that with confidence. I grabbed the installer directly from the official NoteBurner site and ran it through my own antivirus (Bitdefender) without a single flag. To be extra cautious, I also tossed it up on VirusTotal, which scans files with dozens of antivirus engines. The report from October 14, 2025, came back clean across the board—no malicious code, no viruses.
So, stick to the official website for your download, and you won't have to worry about the software itself harming your computer.
But let's be clear, you should only get the software from the official NoteBurner website or one of their authorized partners. That's the only way to be sure you're getting the legitimate, safe version.
Look, I get it. Like a lot of people, I just want to save music and videos because my mobile data is limited, and I want to enjoy my stuff anywhere. Still, I feel like I have to offer a few words of advice:
- Any content you download should be for your eyes only. Don't spread it around or use it for commercial purposes.
- If you just want the background music from a video, it's always better to try and find the original track.
- Whenever you can, use the official apps. Think of third-party tools like this as a last resort.
My Testing Method
Just so you know I actually did the work, here’s a quick look at how I put this software to the test:
- Device: Windows 11 Laptop (Intel i7-12700H, 32GB RAM)
- Network: 1Gbps Fiber Optic
- Software Versions Tested: The latest versions of NoteBurner Netflix Video Downloader and NoteBurner Spotify Music Converter.
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Test Samples:
- Video: The first 5 episodes of "House of Cards" from Netflix (1080p, H.264, with multi-language subtitles).
- Music: The "Today's Top Hits" playlist from Spotify (50 songs, 320kbps).
- I was really focused on what matters most: did the downloads actually work, how fast were they, did they hog my computer's resources, what was the final quality like, and was the software buggy or stable?
Pros and Cons of NoteBurner
NoteBurner really has two different products, one for audio and one for video, so let's break them down separately. I'd also suggest searching forums to get more opinions so you're not just relying on mine.
Pros and Cons of NoteBurner Video Downloader
- Pretty Simple: The user interface is straightforward and doesn't take long to figure out.
- Decent Quality: It can grab videos in 1080p, which is good enough for most screens.
- Downloads in Batches: You can queue up a whole season of a show at once, which is a nice time-saver.
- Very Few Supported Sites: This is a big one. It only works with Netflix, Amazon Prime, and YouTube. That's it.
- It Fails. A Lot: Many users report errors and failed downloads, and I experienced it myself.
- Updates are Slow: When a streaming service changes something, NoteBurner can be broken for a while until they finally push out a fix.
Pros and Cons of NoteBurner Music Converter
- Lots of Format Options: It lets you convert music into all the common file types like MP3, AAC, FLAC, and WAV.
- Works with Major Services: It's compatible with big names like Spotify and Apple Music.
- Doesn't Ruin the Quality: The sound quality of the converted tracks is pretty much identical to the original.
- Simple to Navigate: The interface is clean and easy to get around in.
- Fairly Quick Conversions: It processes files faster than some other tools I've tried.
- Keeps Song Info: This is its best feature. It saves all the ID3 tags, like the title, artist, and album art.
- You Can Tweak Settings: It lets you adjust audio quality if you want to.
- A Bit Pricey: It's paid software, and the cost might be a bit steep for some people.
- Useless Free Trial: The trial only lets you convert the first minute of a song, which isn't enough to really test it.
- Clunky Installation: Some people might find the setup process a little confusing.
- Can be Buggy: Every now and then, the software might crash or not work as you'd expect.
- Hit-or-Miss Support: Some users have said that getting help from their customer service is a frustrating experience.
Decision Flowchart: Stick with NoteBurner or Move On?
Step 1: What's Your Main Goal?
- A. Backup Music Playlists (Spotify/Apple Music)
- B. Download Streaming Videos (Netflix, etc.)
If you chose A (Music):
Are you okay with slow 'recording' speeds?
- Yes, I am. --> Then NoteBurner is a barely passable option.
- No way. --> Just stop. Use the official offline feature.
If you chose B (Video):
Are you happy with only 3 platforms, 1080p video, 2.0 stereo sound, and frequent download failures?
- ...Yes? --> Well... then NoteBurner is for you, I guess.
- Of course not! --> Congratulations, skip straight to StreamFab. Stop wasting your time!
Is NoteBurner Free?
Nope, not really.
Here's what I found out during my trial:
- The music converter will only do the first minute of each song for free. You need to subscribe for the full track.
- The video downloader also has limits on how much you can download, and the free version is pretty basic.
- For any serious use, you'll have to buy a yearly plan or a lifetime license.
This is a pretty standard setup in this market. They give you a little taste to see if it works, but you have to pay to unlock its real power.
- Single music/video converter: around $14.95/month, or $44.95/year.
- NoteBurner Music One (all-in-one version): around $79.90/year.
- Lifetime license: can run you anywhere from $89.90 to $159.90 depending on the product.
(⚠️ Prices can change with promotions, so always check their website for the latest deal. Some users have complained about being charged for renewals without warning, so that's something to watch out for. If you need to cancel your NoteBurner subscription, you can follow their guide.)
⚖️ My two cents? Always use the trial version first to see what the quality and speed are actually like. If you're happy with it, then think about buying. This will save you from paying upfront only to find out it doesn't do what you need.
Best Alternative to NoteBurner Video Downloader: StreamFab
After getting so frustrated with NoteBurner's video side, I started hunting for a real alternative to noteburner that could actually deliver. After a lot of comparing and testing, I found my answer: StreamFab All-In-One. It doesn't just patch up NoteBurner's weaknesses; it's in a completely different league.
Instead of listing a bunch of different tools, just look at this head-to-head comparison. The difference is pretty stark:
| Feature Comparison | NoteBurner (Video Downloader) | StreamFab All-In-One |
|---|---|---|
| Supported Platforms | Only 3 (Netflix, Prime, YouTube) | Over 40+ (Covering Netflix, Disney+, Max, Hulu, Crunchyroll, and almost every other major platform) |
| Max Video Quality | 1080p | Up to 8K (Source-dependent) |
| Advanced Audio Support | ❌ No (Only 2.0 Stereo) | ✔️ Yes (EAC3 5.1, AC3 5.1, Atmos) |
| Ad Removal | ❌ Not supported | ✔️ Automatically removes ads (Crucial for ad-supported plans on Hulu, YouTube, etc.) |
| Download Speed | Standard | ✔️ Turbo-Speed Technology (A full movie in 10-20 minutes) |
| Update Frequency | Slow, can be broken for weeks after a platform update | Extremely Fast (Usually weekly updates), responds quickly to platform changes |
Why I Call StreamFab the Ultimate Solution
It's a genuine all-in-one package. I don't have to buy different downloaders for different services anymore. StreamFab handles everything I need in one app, whether I'm grabbing a TV series, an anime, or a movie. It's just a seamless experience.
The audio and video quality is a massive step up. The first time I downloaded a movie with Dolby Atmos using StreamFab and played it on my home theater, I knew I could never go back to NoteBurner's basic stereo sound. For anyone who actually cares about the viewing experience, the difference is night and day.
I stopped worrying about failed downloads. StreamFab's solid tech and constant updates mean it's always keeping up with changes from streaming services. I've been using it for over a month now, and my success rate has been nearly 100%. That peace of mind is worth a lot.
Best Alternative to NoteBurner Music Downloader: KeepBeats Music Converter
If you're looking for an alternative to NoteBurner's music converter, KeepBeats Music Converter is a solid choice. It's great for both audio and video, offering a single platform to get your music into the formats you need.
KeepBeats really shines by making the whole process smooth and efficient, which makes it a strong competitor. Whether you need to convert music from Spotify, Amazon Music, or Tidal to MP3, it handles the job without any fuss.
Top 3 Reasons to Recommend
First off, KeepBeats is incredibly efficient. Its download and conversion speeds are fast, which will save you a lot of time.
It's also really versatile. It works with a bunch of different video-sharing sites and audio formats, letting you easily convert files to MP3, AAC, FLAC, or WAV.
Finally, the KeepBeats interface couldn't be simpler. Even if you're not tech-savvy, you'll find it easy to navigate and get things done. Plus, the software is free from malware, so your downloads are always safe.
FAQ
Once it's installed, you usually just drag the songs you want to convert from your iTunes library into the program. From there, you pick your settings—like output format, quality, and where to save the file—and then hit the "Convert" button to start.
Legally, it's a gray area. The software provides a way to convert DRM-protected media to common formats, but you should know that the converted files are meant only for your own personal use. Sharing them illegally is a definite no-no.
Nope. As of my last check, NoteBurner can't download from Hulu. Back in February 2024, they only had downloaders for Netflix, Amazon, and YouTube.
Conclusion
So what's the bottom line? I think NoteBurner does a pretty good job with music conversion, especially since it keeps the sound quality high and preserves all the track info. But when it comes to video, its capabilities are pretty weak. The updates are slow, which means I often have to wait around for fixes to keep using it. That, combined with a fairly high price, means I'd really only recommend it for people who just want to save their Spotify or Apple Music playlists. If you're more serious about video downloads and need something stable that covers a lot of platforms, a tool like StreamFab is going to be a much better fit.
